Harry Potter and the Legend of Imlach

Chapter 6 -- Hogwarts

Once Harry and Ron has all of theirs and Moira's and Hermione's things put away they sat down to talk. The owls were chattering and Hermione's cat seemed in a bit of a bad mood. The wild cats were sitting behind Moira on the chair, and all four were looking forward to their last year.

"So, lets talk about what we are going to do when we are all finished."

Hermione's suggestion hit a sore spot for Harry. He had no idea what he wanted to do. He also had no desire to talk about it.

"Hermione you are only asking because you finally made up your mind on what you want to do," Ron chided.

"And what is that Hermione?" Moira asked.

Ron and Hermione smiled. They liked this telepathic communication, once they had gotten use to it. That was the entire introduction Hermione needed to go into the fact she was going into the discovery of new spells and potions. In Harry's muggle term she was going to be research scientist.

"So what you are saying is you are going to be a research scientist?"

"Yeah, Harry, I guess you could say that, but it sounds better the way I was explaining it."

"So where are you going to study then?" Harry asked.

Harry was surprised by the look on her face. She looked over at Ron.

"Well, I have a few options, but I have not decided yet. It kind of depends on how this year goes," Hermione said with a smile.

"Did you know my grandmother was I guess what Harry would call a research scientist," Moira said telepathically.

"Wow that is great. I hope I can have fun doing it."

Harry could see Ron fidgeting in his seat and so he asked him what he was planning to do.

"Well, I really don't know. I guess I have to decide this year."

Harry expected as much. Ron could never make up him mind in this regards. He was good at a lot of things, but Harry didn't expect him to make that choice until he absolutely had to.

"How about you Moira, what are your plans?"

Moira was little taken back by the question. All she had really thought about was living through what ever Voldemort was going to deal out before he was destroyed.

"Well, I really have not given that enough thought to tell you the truth. I guess the future will tell me all I need to know and how to proceed."

"I'm with her on that on," Harry said as he smiled at her.

Harry was grateful that Moira was able to express things in a way they could understand. They talked of all the possibilities out there and the different things they all liked to do.

"You know Harry you are the best Seeker Hogwarts has ever seen. I'm sure you could play on any team you wanted."

Ron was right of course, and as much as Harry loved to play Quidditch he did not honestly believe that is where his future would take him.

"Yeah, I guess, but that too will come to an end one day," Harry said flatly.

"Harry you seem a bit on the down side. Is something about all this bothering you?"

Hermione could very well have read Harry's mind with that question.

"Honestly Hermione, I just hope to live long enough to make that choice."

Silence fell over the compartment as the challenges of what was coming sunk in to their friends. They traveled the rest of the journey each lost in their own thoughts. When the train started to slow Ron got up to stretch.

"Don't pull a muscle or anything Weasley."

Ron didn't have to turn around to know who was standing there.

"Hey, do you guys smell something that stinks."

Ron said it without even looking at Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe. Then he sat down and looked at them.

"I still smell it, you think it would go away," Ron said as he looked at the three.

Harry and Ron where flat out laughing, Moira was trying not too.

"Not funny Weasley. This year is going to be great. My father says it will be the best year yet. You just wait and see what happens."

Harry had had enough of this. He just had no desire to deal with it right know. Harry stood up and walked up to Malfoy. Harry was just a little taller than Malfoy, but if this bothered Malfoy he didn't show it.

"Well we will just see what I have to say about that now won't we?"

"What do you mean by that Potter!?"

"Like I said we will see what I have to say about your father's prophecy."

"My father could squash you in a minute."

"Well, I have seen your father in action before, and I did just fine then if I recall."

Malfoy stood there in silence. This was a revelation to him.

"I guess we will see," Harry said with a smirk.

Malfoy turned and left with the goons.

"Honestly, you'd think those guys would give up," Ron said.

"Not them, they just don't get it," Harry said as he sat back down, even more irritated then he was before.

He tried to relax and image the feast and fun waiting at the castle for them. He was still annoyed as they walked off of the train.

"First years follow me, all first years this way."

Harry looked in the direction of the new grounds keeper. Mrs. Colleridge was an older women and very round. An ache filled his heart. Hagrid should be standing there, and because of him he was gone. Harry was staring at nothing when he felt his wife put her hand on his shoulder.

"It is okay, there is nothing you could have done. He did what he thought was best. We just have to accept his sacrifice and the love with which it was offered."

"I know, but it still hurts," Harry said as he responded to his wife telepathic comment.

Even when they had sat down to the beginning of the term feast Harry was still a little down, but he was trying to let it pass. Harry looked around him at all of things going on. The students all around him were as happy as always, ready and egger for the activities to start. Harry looked up at the table at the head of the room and across at all of the professors. He was not surprised see his Godfather sitting at the table. Sirius noticed his gaze and smiled at him. Since Sirius' name had been cleared he had now been appointed professor and was teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Snape was of course more than annoyed by the whole thing, but last year was a success. It took the students a few times in class to get over the fact that their teacher had been known as a traitor for years, but once everyone understood they had grown to accept him, except Professor Snape of course. He tolerated Sirius, but they avoided each one another with a mutual desire to be as far apart as possible. Of course, this just gave Professor Snape all the more fuel to torture Harry. On the other hand, Sirius was there to talk to, never far away.

Just then Professor McGonagall walked in with the nervous first years following. He remembered well what that felt like to be in that situation and he was excited for the sorting ceremony. He looked up at the stool and the hat sitting in the front of the room and his spirits started to rise. He was ready to hear what the hat had to say. Soon it all began. Harry sat back to listen to what sorting hat was going to share.

Seven years at Hogwarts each have you,

With time they will seem but few,

Where you stay depends you see,

On where your soul can be free.

Four houses here you will find,

Each filled with others of your kind,

Each holds different values true,

Where you belong is up to you.

Gryffindor is noble and brave,

Always finding someone to save,

Inside their hearts there always lies,

A deeper meaning in their lives.

Hufflepuff is where the work is done,

By those who put work before fun,

The choice is hard but once it's made,

Loyal and true, they will never fade.

Ravenclaw thinks thinking is best,

Always putting old ideas to the test,

With wit and charm they know and learn,

And place each new idea in its turn.

Slytherin has ends in mind,

And always seeks others of its kind,

Strong and fierce they can be,

Often wanting what they cannot see.

So put me on and let me speak,

To place the best is all I seek,

In your head is where It's at,

That's why I am the sorting hat.

Harry was a little shocked at how wise the sorting hat actually was. He looked over at the Slytherin table and was amazed that they were pleased with what the sorting hat had said about their house. He always thought they were portrayed in a negative light, and they always seemed to like it that way. Harry watched as one by one the students went up and sat under the hat. It seemed in Harry's mind there were fewer new students than he could ever remember. Neville Longbottom was sitting next to Harry.

"Not as many first years as normal, don't you think?"

Neville was not talking to anyone in particular.

"Well, with all that is going on I think many parents wanted to keep their kids close or at least send them to school that was not so involved in the matter."

It came from Jason a fifth year Harry did not know all that well.

"What do you mean by that?" Ron asked.

"Well you-know-who is out there trying to gain power and he always ends up after Harry. Think about it, my second year here he killed an innocent student just to try to get at Harry. Look at all the connections this place has to him. This is where he went to school, and he wants to see most of the professors here killed. Not exactly a comforting place to send your kid to. My parents thought of sending me to another school. I had to promise I would stay out of the way and come home at the first sign of trouble. Really Harry, it is nothing against you, I think you are bloody great! I just know a lot of people who are scared to get in the way."

Harry tried to smile.

"Thanks, I guess I would have to agree with what you are saying. I am just sorry it is this way."

Hermione was quick to jump in.

"Well, don't be Harry it is not your fault. All things considered Hogwarts is one of the safest places to be."

With that McGonagall tapped her glass to once again bring the quite. Dumbledore stood to address the students.

"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. We are pleased to have you all here. There are a few notices I would like to give. First, all students are reminded that the Forbidden Forest is still strictly prohibited to all students. Second, I have received many owls from many concerned parents regarding the safety of Hogwarts. I want to enforce upon your minds that every precaution has been taken to ensure your safety. I have also assured your parents of this. Please try and put this out of your minds and concentrate on your studies. If there is ever a reason to worry or be concerned I give you my word I will inform you of it. Now, let us eat."

The feast appeared and the students went to work making it disappear. Harry looked at the food. His appetite was lost in his thoughts. Was he really putting all of these other kids in danger by being here? If he were to leave, would that place Hogwarts at a lower risk of being attacked? Harry was nudged back into reality by his wife as she passed him a plate of food. She gave him a look that made him push the thoughts out of his head. He was soon working on eating his food and talking with all of the other students about their summer activities. Harry soon forgot all of his worries and was glad to be back in a familiar place where was accepted for the person he was.

When feast was over they made their way up to the dorm rooms. Harry, Moira, Ron and Hermione found a corner of the common room to relax in.

"I wonder how true it all is." Harry stated

"What do you mean by that Harry?" Ron asked.

"Well, maybe by being here I am putting this place in real danger. What that fifth year was saying at dinner tonight was true."

Hermione was quick to speak up.

"Then you didn't listen to well. He also said that you-know-who wanted most of the professor here dead too. So you are not the only one on his black list."

"No, I am just the first. I've only gotten away from him five times and royally messed up his plans last year. I don't think I will be getting a Christmas card from him anytime soon."

"That's true." Ron said almost laughing.

"Ron," Hermione was a little upset with him, "are you trying to be difficult or what. Have you forgotten we were right along side him for the most part? I am sure he wouldn't mind getting us out of the picture either."

From the look on Ron's face, that particular thought had never crossed his mind. He was suddenly a little shaken by the idea. Suddenly a thought filled the minds of the three of them.

"Listen, we are all getting ahead of ourselves. At the present moment we are all safe and we are in the most protected place we could possibly be. I can not speak for all of you, but I will not live my life in fear of this evil man. I will deal with him when the opportunity arises, but living in fear of him is what he wants and I will not give him that satisfaction. I will live my life on my terms, not his."

Everyone seemed to relax with that. None of them were going to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for themselves.

"If you will all excuse me I've arranged to meet with Professor Snape early tomorrow, so I want to go to bed," Moira said as she stood.

Harry wanted to give her a kiss, but it would have to wait. He watched her leave, knowing it would be even harder this year not to make there relationship more noticeable. They were always very careful not to draw attention to their relationship in public. Ron and Hermione looked at Harry. After a few seconds, he received a swift kick from Ron.

"Sorry, Harry, but you were staring at her and I didn't want you to start drooling or anything."

Harry had to laugh.

"Was it that obvious? I thought I was doing well."

"Yeah." Both of them said in unison.

"Well, keep me on my toes. I don't want anything to get back to the wrong source."

"We'll do our best." Ron said.

"Hey, why is Moira meeting with Professor Snape?" Hermione asked.

"We need to get a potion her grandmother was working on figured out. Since she has the best relationship with him, we thought it best she go alone and see if he can help her figure it out," Harry said.

"You know why it is he likes her, at least as much as can with her not being a Slytherin?" Ron asked.

"Best I can figure is because she is so good with potions. Her grandmother was really good at them too, that is how she learned all about potion making. I am sure there are things she knows about potions Professor Snape doesn't even know. Hopefully together they can figure it out."

"What is the potion for Harry?" Ron hesitated as he asked.

"I am sure you both will find out soon enough. No need to rush the inevitable."

With that Harry got up and went to his dorm room. Ron and Hermione talked for a little while more. When Hermione went up to her room she looked at the five beds. As usual the curtains on Moira's bed were drawn as if she were already asleep. Out of curiosity and because there was no one else in the room yet she peeked in. The bed looked like someone was sleeping in it, but Hermione watched for some movement and there was no breathing going on. She wondered what spell did that, and where the passage into their room was. Ron repeated the same experience in his room. They had agreed to share observations latter.

Harry lay awake in bed for some time thinking about things. He was not sure that Hogwarts was a very safe place to be. Harry was sure he was number one on Voldemort's list, but he was just as certain that Dumbledore was a close second. Then there were a handful of other people who were certainly on that list: Sirius Black, Serevus Snape, Ron and Hermione. He was sure the other teachers had helped out too. All in all Harry had to admit Hermione was right; there were a lot of people here Voldemort did not want around. Basically, because of these targets, this was a much protected place. Then it crossed his mind Voldemort probably had helpers here too. He could not imagine Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe not being coached by their fathers' to keep their ears open and let them know of what was going on. They were probably just waiting for the right moment to come calling. The thought made Harry shutter. He tried to sleep, but it was not working. He looked at wife; he did not understand how she could sleep so peacefully, she never worried about things. She just knew it would all work out. He wished he could figure out how to do that.

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Draco's blood was still warm from his confrontation earlier with Sabine and his craving of her only increased through dinner. He had watched her through glances in her direction all night, soon she caught on to what he was doing. From then on she tried her hardest to look as seductive as possible and laughed at everyone's jokes even if they were not funny. The best part of it was she knew her plan was working. She was getting him all turned on and there was nothing he could do about it, or so she thought. He was quick to catch on to her game though, and started to be as charming as he could be with the girl sitting right next to him. Sabine recognized the girl was Pansy Parkinson, a seventh year just like Draco, and the same girl that he had taken to the Yule Ball in their fifth year. He laughed at something Pansy told him and he threw his arm around her shoulder in a friendly manner. Sabine, however, was not jealous at all. His actions only confirmed he was indeed watching her.

Later in the common room Draco looked over into the corner where near few cushy chairs finding his prey. Sabine was sitting in one of the chairs with Mariah between her legs on the floor leaning against the chair, her back to Sabine, who had just finished braiding her hair. He watched her for a minute and then overheard she was going to the girls' bathroom and then to bed. She quietly rose from her chair and exited the common room. A few minutes after she had left, Draco followed her.

She was back on her way to the common room, walking down the shadowy corridor, when a hand reached out and grabbed her from behind pulling her into a side corridor which was unlit and dark. She screamed, but the noise was muffled by a hand over her mouth. She was not scared, more shocked than anything. Whoever had the audacity to do this to her would pay!

"Clever girl aren't you!" Draco breathed against her ear and he turned her towards him. Sabine exhaled. She should have known!

"Why, what ever do you mean, Draco?" Batting her eyelashes at him as he let her go.

"The little stunt on the train and dinner tonight, if I am not mistaken, you were shamelessly flirting with me!" He walked towards her and she back up until she came to the wall behind her, but he continued forward until he was inches from her face and almost pressing her against the wall.

"You are mistaken, Draco. YOU were flirting with me on the train and indeed I was flirting with Paul at dinner. Are you jealous? Why were you watching me?" The look in her eye was daring and bold.

"No, darling, I am not jealous. You are mine and I will watch you whenever I want!" He was slightly angered, but it was mostly that he was so turned on being that close to her. The warmth of her body, the smell of her perfume, the challenge in her eye, it was arousing him at a rapid rate.

"I am not yours yet!" She retorted and finally pushed against him, but he restrained her wrists and she fought against him.

"In fact, I will do whatever I want with you, as you are mine or will be! With that he leaned forwards toward her, forcing her hands behind her back and making her lean into him. He placed his lips on hers harshly and kissed her roughly.

I can't believe him! Of all the audacity! She thought, but he was still kissing her and she soon gave in to him, unintentionally.

He noticed her relenting and released her arms, encircling her waist with his. She threw her arms around his neck and he pressed her fully against the wall this time. He was being rough, but passionate, and she liked it!

They were having a good snogging session, when Draco, in the grand tradition of all males, got a case of "wandering hands". This brought Sabine out of the foggy haze she had been in and she pushed him away.

"I have to go!" she said urgently and quickly walked away with Draco watching her as he followed.

He could have caught her if he wanted to, but for tonight he would let her go. As he entered the common room, he noticed her going to the stairs that let to the girls' dormitory; he on the other hand was going to go take a cold shower!

_________________

Harry was still sleeping when Moira left the room, as where all of the other girls in her dorm room. She made her way down the stairs and out through the common room. She stopped by the great hall to pick up a little food. There where a few other students up and about, but she made her way down to the dungeon and into Professor Snape's classroom. He was sitting at his desk and turned to look at her as she walked in.

"Glad to see that you are not late."

"I would not want to get you out of bed early for nothing professor."

A look of uneasiness crossed his face. He had been told just like all of the other teachers that Moira was telepathic and so the teachers did not ask her questions and she tried to talk to them as little as possible, they all seemed uncomfortable with the idea. Of all the teachers she had talked with Professor Snape the most, but he still did not like it all that much.

"Well then, I guess you'd best explain what brings us here so early."

Moira stepped up to his desk and pulled out a parchment onto which she had copied all of the information from her grandmother's book relating to the potion.

"Well, this parchment is some research my grandmother was working on before her death. I find myself in great need of this potion, but it is incomplete. The last four ingredients are missing their quantities. I am here to ask you if you will help me figure the rest of the potion out."

Professor Snape picked up the parchment and reviewed it for some time. Then he sat it down.

"I have some questions."

"Please ask."

"First there are a lot of rare ingredients on this list that I don't have."

Moira opened her bag and removed all of the ingredients Mrs. Weasley had gotten for them.

"I guess that solves that problem. Next and more important, what is this potion for and what does it do? From the list of these ingredients it is a most powerful concoction."

"It must be very powerful; it must calm a very real and very powerful pain."

She thought that with more emotion on her face than she intended. Professor Snape looked over the list and gave him the time he wanted to think. He looked over the ingredients she had placed over the table.

"It will not be a simple thing. It could take some time."

"I know."

With that he picked up what he could carry and headed off to a corner of the room that was never used by the students. Moira picked up the rest of the ingredients and followed him.

"We will use this caldron and area. None of the students are allowed over here."

He tapped the wall to reveal a small hidden storage area.

"You can keep your ingredients here."

Moira started putting everything a way. She arranged them just like her grandmother would of. It was a method she was sure would help her figure out the amounts needed in the end. When she was done she looked back at Professor Snape.

"Who taught you how to do that?"

"My grandmother."

Snape looked at her as if to see through her.

"That method of potion making is ancient."

"So was my grandmother."

Moira pulled another book from her backpack and gave it Professor Snape.

"Here I thought you might like this. I guess it is my way of saying thank you for your help."

He looked at the book and then back as Moira.

"We will work on it together after potion class. I don't believe you have anything."

"No, your right that would be fine."

"Then I will see you tomorrow afternoon."

"Until then."

Professor Snape watched her leave the room as he walked back to his desk. He looked at the book in his hands. He opened it and looked though the book and was amazed. He had never seen nor heard of these potions before. He closed the book and looked closer at it. He was sure the book was hundreds of years old yet, she said it was her grandmothers. He decided he would have to get use to this telepathic thing whether he liked it or not, he was going to find out who this girl was and why she needed such a powerful potion to stop some tremendous pain.